No. 14 Iowa State hosts 3-0 Arizona in primetime Big 12 showdown

The Arizona Wildcats travel to Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, to face the No. 14 Iowa State Cyclones in a primetime Big 12 matchup scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Iowa State enters 4-0 and favored by 5.5 points, while Arizona is 3-0, making the game a high-stakes early test for both unbeaten teams as conference play ramps up.

Iowa State, coming off a bye and a 24-16 win over Arkansas State, will lean on quarterback Rocco Becht, who has thrown for seven touchdowns and nearly 900 yards this season. The Cyclones have averaged roughly 30 points per game and will be buoyed by the returns of linebacker Carson Willich, tight end Gabe Burkle and defensive back Jontez Williams, coach Matt Campbell said in a recent update. The team will be without veteran kicker Kyle Konrardy because of a leg strain, with freshman Chase Smith expected to handle kicking duties.

Arizona has matched Iowa State’s early momentum, opening the season with wins over Hawaii, Weber State and a nonconference victory at Kansas State. Quarterback Noah Fifita has been central to that success, accumulating more than 700 passing yards and six touchdowns this year and accounting for...